GNBC stages grand ballet 'Coppélia' at Artpark

by jmaloni

Press release

Mon, Apr 1st 2013 12:30 pm

Ballet returns to Artpark after a 10-year
absence with a stunning production of ballet's greatest comedy. The Greater Niagara Ballet Company brings "Coppélia" to the Artpark Mainstage Theater for two
shows on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 2 and 8 p.m.

"Coppélia,"
with its roots tracing back to E.T.A. Hoffmann's 19th century "Der
Sandmann," is described by The Kennedy Center as "a story of mistaken identity
and a beautiful mechanical doll."

In the story, Coppélia sits on her balcony all
day reading and speaking to no one. A boy named Franz falls truly in love with
Coppélia and wants to marry her - even though he is already engaged. His
fiancé, Swanilda, sees Franz throwing kisses at Coppélia, but she soon learns
that Coppélia is actually a doll that belongs to Doctor Coppélius, the mad
scientist! Swanilda impersonates the doll in order to win back Franz. Chaos ensues, but soon all is
forgiven. Swanilda and Franz get married, and several festive dances celebrate
the occasion.

"Coppélia"
was originally choreographed and staged by ballet masters Arthur St.
Léon, Marius Petipa, Lev Ivanov, Enrico Cecchetti and George Balanchine.

Tickets for "Coppélia" are priced at $40 (adult grand tier center sections), $25
(adult first tier and grand tier far wings) and $15 (all children under age
12). A limited number of VIP
tickets are available for just $10
more, and include a special post-performance
meet-and-greet reception. Tickets
are available at the Artpark box office and through www.tickets.com. Those
purchasing 10 tickets will receive 10 percent off their total order.

"Coppélia"
is presented by the Greater Niagara Ballet Company in conjunction with KeyBank and The National Ballet Institute through a grant from The Oliver G. & Sarah Sloan Bauman Fund
for the Arts.

The
Greater Niagara Ballet Company is proud to blend the modern needs of today with
the timeless beauty of the classical arts. Under the direction of Beverley
Feder, F.I.S.T.D., the not-for-profit company continues to provide local
dancers with the unique and rewarding opportunity of developing their talents
in a professional theatrical setting while working with trained dancers from
all parts of the world.